Lecture 1 & 2

Question 1

What is an invertebrate?

Answer 1

No backbone

Question 2

How many estimated insects are there?

Answer 2

10000000000000000000 ( 1% are ants)

Question 3

What are the benefits of insects as decomposers?

Answer 3

they:
enhance forage palatability.
recycle nitrogen.
reduce pest habitat

Question 4

What family are Dung beetles in?

Answer 4

Scarabidae (over 5000 species)

Question 5

what chemical is toxic to dung beetles ?

Answer 5

Avermectin

Question 6

what are the benefits of dung beetles?

Answer 6

• fourage fouling
• parasitism
  -nitrogen volatisation
• pests & flies

total losses averted = $380 million

Question 7

what % of food crops & flowering plants rely on animal pollination?

Answer 7

more than 75% of food crops.
almost 90% of flowering plants

Question 8

Why are pollinators important?

Answer 8

Pollinators improve:

• quality
  -quantity
  -seed production
  -genetic diversity

Question 9

Who are pollinators?

Answer 9

50% of global crop pollination - honeybee
50% of global crop pollination - wild insects.

Question 10

What is the total value for pollination in Ireland?

Answer 10

53 million e

Question 11

How many insects are pests?

Answer 11

1 million described (5-10 million estimated) insect species

Question 12

Define- What is a pest?

Answer 12

” A pest is any living organism, whether animal, plant or fungus, which is invasive or troublesome to plants or animals, human or human concerns, livestock, or human structures”

Question 13

Define - What is a parasite?

Answer 13

Parasites live on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm.

Question 14

what % of wheat is lost globally due to pests & pathogens?

Answer 14

21.5%

Question 15

what % of rice is lost globally due to pests & pathogens?

Answer 15

30%

Question 16

what % of maize is lost globally due to pests & pathogens?

Answer 16

22.5%

Question 17

Why are insects pests?

Answer 17

They are Herbivores.
Transmit disease.
Allergic reactions.

Question 18

Why do invertebrates become pests?

Answer 18

Accidental introduction to areas outside native range.
They then become a vector for disease & move from native plants to introduced ones eg.crops.

• Simplified monocultural ecosystems.
• Dense aggregations of food resources = proliferation of certain generalist & specialist pests.
• Less natural enemies.
• Other farming & cultivation practices:
• Continuous cultivation without fallow = build up of pests.
• Prolonged insecticide use= less natural enemies & insecticide resistance.

Question 19

What are the 4 types of pest control?

Answer 19

• Cultural
  -Mechanical/physical
  -Biological control
  -Chemical control

Question 20

When were Chemical insecticides developed?

Answer 20

developed during & after 2nd world war.

Notes:
- initially effective & cheap
- replaced traditional forms of chemical, cultural & biological control.
- insecticide “boom”

Question 21

What are the limitations to the use of Pesticides?

Answer 21

1. Target resistance.
2. Target resurgence.
3. Residues ( in food crops)
4. Introduction of Secondary Pest Problems ( former non-pest species that were controlled by natural enemies)
5. Environmental Contamination ( affecting wildlife & pollinators as well as natural enemies).
6. Chronic Occupational Exposure/Human Health.

Question 22

Why is there moves towards less insecticide use?

Answer 22

• problems with insecticide resistance.
• costs of insecticides
  -strong consumer backlash against environmental & human health concerns. * as no target organisms.
  -development of alternative controls

Question 23

What is the philosophy for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?

Answer 23

Philosophy is to limit economic damage & simultaneously minimise:

• adverse effects on non-target organisms.
  -adverse effects on environment.
  -adverse effects on consumers.